# 10 Things Mexico Does Better Than Anywhere Else > Discover what makes Mexico astonish the world: singular traditions, extraordinary celebrations and refined cuisine. Find out what this country does best. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/10-rechei-iaki-meksyka-robyt-krashche-nizh-budde-shche/ - Language: en - Published: 2024-08-26 - Categories: Culture, Historic Sites, Leisure, Mexico, Food & Drinks, Parties --- Ice-cold beer, empty beaches. It's a tempting image, but it captures only a sliver of the diversity and grandeur of one of the most extraordinary countries in the world. Here are 10 things travelers in Mexico do better than anywhere else: ## 1. Tequila Mexico's national spirit has become a bar staple all over the globe, exported to 96 countries. But don't come to Mexico expecting to impress the locals by gulping down a cloyingly sweet margarita or bravely knocking back shot after shot all night long. Tequila is meant to be sipped slowly and savored, like a fine whiskey, which, as any Mexican will tell you, the best tequila can rival. You can try premium varieties on tours such as The Tequila Express from Casa Herradura and the Jose Cuervo Express. ## 2. Curing a Hangover Mexican parties are notorious for spiraling out of control in the blink of an eye. That, of course, leads to the familiar disaster the next morning. Luckily, Mexican kitchens come alive with the best hangover food on the planet. Wake up, drink some water, then breathe in the aroma of spicy chilaquiles, tacos de carnitas (pork) or barbacoa (lamb) with a fiery salsa and plenty of restorative fat, maybe a light beer with breakfast if you're in really rough shape, and by evening you'll be back to putting in requests with the musicians. ## 3. Brass Sections From symphony orchestras to marching bands and the horn sections in soul and R&B, everyone loves the sound of brass. Yet while most countries save their horns for parties and special occasions, Mexico serves up brass jams every single day. Where else can you hear tubas, real tubas!, laying down bass lines on the radio every hour of the week? It all comes down to banda, the heart of both traditional and popular Mexican music. Bandas usually consist of 10 to 20 musicians playing brass, woodwinds and various percussion. Every traveler in Mexico is enchanted by mariachi, but banda belongs to several broader genres, the most distinctive of which are ranchera, quebradita and corridos. ## 4. Celebrating Death Plenty of cultures practice ancestor worship. But who else turns remembering their dearly departed into an annual fiesta of art, food and togetherness? On November 1, also known as the Day of the Dead, Mexicans build ofrendas (altars) for their departed loved ones. Each ofrenda includes photographs of the deceased, food, drinks, skull-shaped candies, candles and cempasuchil, the Aztec marigold or flower of the dead. It's believed that the souls of children return to earth to visit family and friends on November 1, while the souls of adults do the same on November 2. Day of the Dead festivals take place all across Mexico. Three of the most striking are held in San Andres Mixquic (in Tlahuac, Mexico City), Patzcuaro, Michoacan, and Janitzio, Michoacan. ## 5. Double Meaning (Albur) Known as "albur" in Spanish, the double entendre is, for Mexicans, not merely a linguistic device but an art form that demands a nimble mind and the ability to deliver clever yet subtle messages, often with a sexual or risque undertone. Many languages, of course, make use of hidden connotations and witty wordplay. But albur is so important in Mexico that there's a national tournament to crown the best alburero. The "Queen of Albur" is Lourdes Ruiz, who has dominated the competition since 1997, beating men and women alike. She even teaches albur courses. Still not convinced that Mexicans take the double meaning more seriously than anyone else? What other country has a day dedicated to the subtleties of language? In Mexico, Albur Day is celebrated on March 1. ## 6. Catholicism The Vatican does a fine job as a center of faith, and it has some pretty impressive ceiling paintings. But its population of 800 souls isn't exactly overwhelming. Mexico, by contrast, ranks second in the world for its number of Catholics (Brazil is first, the Philippines third), and according to Mexico's National Institute of Statistics and Geography, 83.9% of Mexicans are Catholic. Nothing says "Mexican Catholic" quite like the reverence for the country's seemingly endless apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Perhaps that's why the priest Miguel Hidalgo carried the symbolic banner of Guadalupe when he led the opening stages of Mexico's War of Independence in 1810. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the most venerated Virgin in Mexico, and perhaps in the entire world. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City is also one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Mexico, considered the most visited Marian shrine in the world. Every December 12, some 5 million pilgrims from all over Mexico visit the Basilica to thank the Virgin for her graces or to ask for a miracle. ## 7. Quick Lunches Known throughout the country as Vitamin T, tacos, tortas, tamales and tostadas are part of everyday life. Mexicans are always on the move, so it's no surprise that puestos and changarros (food stalls) can be found on practically every corner. Whether you're riding the metro, walking home from school or taking a lunch break away from the office, Mexico's streets offer endless options for a quick and delicious meal, prepared right in front of you from fresh ingredients. ## 8. Soap Operas In 1958, Telesistema Mexicano released "Senda Prohibida" ("Forbidden Path"), the first Mexican telenovela (soap opera). Fifty-six years later, its successor Televisa had produced a staggering 740 telenovelas. The formula hasn't changed much. A man and a woman fall in love but, for tragic reasons, can't be together. After overcoming the obstacles, they finally marry. Fifteen years after exporting its first soap opera, "Los Ricos Tambien Lloran" ("The Rich Also Cry"), Televisa found a rich market beyond Mexico's borders too. Televisa isn't the only network producing hit telenovelas. TV Azteca and Argos Comunicacion also create top-tier tearjerkers. ## 9. Wrestling Costumes Professional wrestling (lucha libre) may be more Hollywood north of the border and more no-nonsense in other countries, but nowhere is it charged with as much drama as in Mexico. Those funny/creepy masks aren't just easy on the eyes, they're an essential part of the spectacle. Ripping the mask off an opponent's head is one of the greatest triumphs and most thrilling moments in lucha libre. Matches are held at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster. ## 10. The Polite Lie Mexicans' deep fear of appearing rude has bred an innate aversion to saying the word "no." Instead, and unfortunately for anyone unfamiliar with the rules of politeness here, we've developed a talent for the harmless little lie that lets us say "yes" to any request. Even when there's absolutely nothing we can do about it. The harmless lie can be as trivial as "the dog ate my homework" or as grim as "my beloved great-aunt suddenly developed pancreatic cancer." But the queen of all polite lies is "ahorita." "Ahorita" literally means "right now," but it almost never does. When a Mexican tells you they'll do something "ahorita," get ready to settle in, because the wait could be a long one. Think of ahorita as the Mexican art of procrastination, passed down from generation to generation, a term that can mean anything from "in 10 minutes" to "in three weeks." Ahorita's cousin is "I'm already on my way." What it really means is: "I'm on my way to finishing this TV series, maybe getting off the couch, calling my sister, taking a shower, grabbing a bite, and actually leaving the house to meet you." You've been warned, we're masters at this!